Detachable light and clamp therefor



April 10, 1934. M KIDSTQN r AL 1,954,756

DETACHABLE LIGHT AND CLAMP THEREFOR Filed Feb. 14, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l O I .Z

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A ril 10, 1934. R. M. KIDSTON ET AL DETACHABLE LIGHT AND CLAMP THEREFOR Filed Feb. 14, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eudol llalaolll E flflarmgv ensures A r. 10, 1934 UNITED STATES DETACHABLE LIGHT AND C THEREFOR Rudolph M. Kidston, Wellesley Farms, and Mali-- oolm F. Cummings, Newt on Highlands, Mesa;

said Uummlngs asslgnor to Kidston Application February M,

1933, Serial No. bddfitd 3 Claims. (U1. tileild) Our invention relates to an improved construction. for candle-like electric Christmas tree decorations and novel clamping means whereby the decorations may be securely arranged in desired position upright on the tree.

The use of electric lights to displace candles in the decoration and illumination of Christmas trees has been widespread. Such use has, however, sacrificed the former pleasing eillect prolid duced by candle light for the saiety of electric lights.

Most of the sets of lights now on the market provide for the use of eightbulbs in series with the result that the bulbs are laid on or suspended between the branches according to the position of the bulbs on the cord. Such positioning is not persuasive where a candle effect is desired.

When the tree is being decorated, the electric lights are placed on the tree first and the usual decorations follow. The weight of these further decorations results in the branches sagging. This factor with the fact that the branches do not provide a level surface represent some of the dlfiiculties avoided by our invention and demonstrate the need for a like decoration that may be adjusted to desired position.

If the candle effect is desired, the problem is to provide suitable means for securing the candie-like members to the branches. Many efforts have been made to accomplish this end with many possible solutions, none of which have so far provided a simple and practical way to hold the candle member securely to the branch in perpendicular position to a level plane, rather than to the particular bend of the branch.

The true solution was not to make the candlelike socket member integrally with the clamping means, but to construct each separately so that they may be detachably assembled. This also permits convenient and safe storage. The assembly may be adequately effected by providing a joint of ball and socket type. A real economy results from this structure in that separate clamps which are inexpensive are obtainable if desired.

Added features of advantage found in our in ventlon are that the clamp itself is less apparent and the candle-like member appears to rest upon the branch of the tree. The clamp also serves to hold the wires close to the branch making them more nearly invisible with the result that the pleasing effect of candle light is well reproduced.

In order that those who are already possessed of the ordinary sets may use our electric cam dles, we have provided special candle members for the sockets in such sets and have provided a special clamp for use with such sockets that serve to keep the lights in upright position on the branch.

it is to be understood that our candle like electric Christmas tree decoration may be used anywhere that decoration is desired. Our invention is obviously well suited for decoration of trees outside of the home or tor decorstlvely illuminating the windows. We have thus provided the only suitable way by which electric candles may be used to secure a candle-like ei'- feet for all such purposes as the Christmas season require.

Throughout the specification and drawings like reference numerals are employed to desigmate the corresponding parts.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view of our candle lilre electric Christmas tree decoration with bulb secured to a clamp.

Fig. 2 is a'sectional view of Fig. l with the bulb detached.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the clamp.

Fig. i shows a modified form of the candlelike electric Christmas tree decoration.

Fig. 5 is a view partly in section of the socket shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows partly in section another form of socket.

Fig. 'i is a sectional view of the plug 11 removed.

Fig. 8 is a view of a modified form of our electric candle placed in the ordinary socket.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the candle shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows such ordinary socket attached to our clamp, and

Fig. 11 shows another form of clamp adapted to hold either our electric candle or the socket of the ordinary sets in use.

In our invention we use a candle-llketubular member 1 adapted to receive a bulb 2 and a clamp 3 with a pair of spring laws 3 and 3 to which the member 1 may be detachably secured. On the upper jaw 3 of the clamp 3 are placed bowed resilient fingers '7 of generally spherical shape.- The fingers 7 are adapted to serve as either the ball or socket of the joint required to permit the adjustment of the candle-like member 1 in desired position. In Fig. 1, the fingers? enter the recess 6 of the member 1. In Fig. 4, the fingers 7 receive the ball shaped end 9 of the member 1. With a joint of the type described, the candle may be easily secured to the clamp or detached therefrom.

As is shown in Fig. 2, the member 1 has a usual socket 4 properly connected by the wires 5 which pass through the member 1. Near the lower end of the member 1 there are slight re cesses 6 adapted to receive the arc or bow shaped members 7 of the clamp 3. The member '7 is adapted to serve as a ball to enter the socket provided by the recess 6. The clamp 3 has a hole 8 between the member '7 on the jaw 3 through which the wires 5 are to pass.

The same clamp 3 may detachably support the candle member 1 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. In such use, the member 1 is provided with a ball shaped end 9 adapted to be inserted between the spring members 7 of the clamp 3. The member 1 is suitably bored as at 10 to permit the passage of the wires 5.

The same result may be accomplished by having a plug 11 with a ball shaped end 12 disposed in the bottom of the tubular member 1 as .is shown in Fig. 7. This member 11 is bored as at 13 to receive the wires 5 and may be secured in the hollowed out portion 14 of the member 1.

For use in the socket 15 of the Christmas tree sets in wide use as is shown in Fig. 8, we provide our usual member 1 with a suitably threaded end portion 16 to screw into the socket 15. The socket 15 may be supported by a compressible or resilient frame 17 with a suitable balllike extension 18 adapted for use with the usual clamp 3, previously shown and described.

In order that the candle member 1 may fit more closely to the branch, a clamp such as is shown in Fig. 11 may be used. This clamp has a U-shaped extension 1-9 to which a compressible support 20 is attached by the ball shaped extension 21 lying within the U-shaped extension 19.

Various modifications in the construction of our invention may obviously be resorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention it within the limits of the appended claims.

What we therefore claim and desire to secure by letters Patent is:

1. A candle-like electric Christmas tree decoration comprising a tubular member in external simulation 01' a tallow or wax candle, a bulb receiving socket at the upper end of said member and having suitable electric contacts therein, a clamp member comprising a pair of spring jaws, said candle member and said clamp mem ber including resiliently engageable ball and socket portions adapted to be concealed within said tubular member when said clamp and said tubular member are assembled whereby the candle member may be detachably secured in upright position.

2. A candle-like electric Christmas tree decoration comprising a tubular member in external simulation of a tallow or wax candle, a bulb receiving socket at the upper end of said member and having suitable electric contacts therein, a circumferential recess in the lower portion of said candle member, a clamp member comprising a pair of spring jaws and on the upper side of said clamp bowed resilient fingers of generally spherical shape adapted detachably to enter said recess whereby said candle member is held in adjustable position.

3. A candle-like electric Christmas tree decoration comprising a tubular member in external simulation ,of tallow or wax candle, a bulb receiving socket at the upper end of said member and having suitable electric contacts therein, a circumferential recess in the lower portion of said candle member, a clamp member comprising a pair of spring jaws, the upper jaw of said clamp having a wire receiving hole therein and bowed resilient fingers of generally spherical shape surrounding said hole, and said fingers being adapted detachably to enter said recess whereby said candle member is held in adjustable position.

RUDOLPH M. KIDSTON. MALCOLM F. CUMMINGS 

